Firestarter (10 page)

“Did you do that a lot when you were younger?” She held up both arms, shaking her head.

“Never mind, do not answer that due to my earlier threat.” She enunciated each word. There was absolutely no way she would ever hurt
Little
Kea
. His personal nickname for his dick really was cute. However she didn’t plan on letting him know that.

Cammie wanted to be optimistic. “Okay, so this isn’t too bad. I mean the bedroom is a total loss, but the rest is okay, right?” She’d loved her big king sized bed with its gorgeous quilted cover she’d bought at a flea market. The next time she would be able to go to another one wouldn’t be until next year until then she’d have to settle for a store-bought one. Her log bed was also a total loss, along with all the matching pieces. Everything had been picked out and made just for her, and now they were ruined because some asshole had torched her home.

“How the fuck did this happen?” Keanu bent down and inspected what remained of the

hallway.

“What do you mean? Someone started a fire in my home, duh.” Cammie tried to joke, but

seeing her beautiful home damaged made her feel like throwing up. She barely kept the tears at bay.

Keanu held his hand out to Cammie. “Look at this. It’s like someone controlled the flame.

Why else didn’t it spread into the living space or upstairs to your loft?”

“Um, I guess I don’t know.” Confusion was clearly written on her face.

“Son of a bitch.”

“Keanu, you’re scaring me. Why don’t you explain what has you so upset? Then we can

figure it out.”

See, she could sound like she was in control.

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As she listened to him explain how the blaze was fed and controlled, she almost recanted that statement.

“You’re telling me that there’s another elemental like you here? So, is there like a whole society, like the air bender kid or something?” When he didn’t laugh or negate her question, she sank onto the nearest chair. Never mind that where she decided to plant her ass had recently been on fire, and was now a soaked, soppy mess. Or that she had on her favorite dress.
Great, just
great, not.
Trying to keep from crying, Cammie breathed in through her nose, and out her mouth.

But what if Keanu hadn’t been there? She would be dead, or injured, which was sometimes a lot worse than dead when it came to burns.

“There are other elementals, but no secret society.” He knelt in front of her. “We blend with society, and usually nobody is the wiser. I’m sure whoever set this had no clue I was like him or her. It’s not like we announce it to the world.”

“Fuck me,” Cammie whispered.

Keanu’s face tightened and then eased as his eyes seemed to dance. “Not now, baby.”

She whacked his shoulder without any real heat, but smiled at the flames she swore danced in his eyes. The man was completely incorrigible. Just what she needed.

Several hours and a short trip to the local mall to buy some necessities later, and Cammie felt marginally better about her loss. The insurance company had been contacted, her mother soothed, and now she drove behind the most delectable male ever, following him to his

grandfather’s. Surely there was a reality show about this on MTV.

“Let’s get you settled in my room, and then I’ll take you out back to meet my family.”

Keanu grabbed the bags out of her Jeep.

His words stopped her forward motion. “Oh hell, to the no. I am not staying in the same room as you.” She shook her head vigorously. “What would your mother and grandfather say?

Nope. No way. No how.” She crossed her arms.

Her face flamed just thinking of the sales clerk and her knowing looks at the lingerie store.

While she’d picked out sexy but functional bras and panties, Keanu had other ideas. He chose things she was sure would last one time, if the lascivious looks he gave her were any indication, as he held them up for her to see. She couldn’t imagine what his family would think of her if she were sleeping with him.

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His face looked puzzled. “I’ve got my own suite on the other side of the house, well away from my family.”

Cammie stuttered a little. “I don’t care. This is a huge house. Surely there’s a guest room I can use.”

“Right, and I’m just gonna let you stay there.” He came up beside her. “Ah, no would be the answer. Don’t fight me on this. You won’t win. Some ass got into your home. I’m not taking chances. You’re too important to me.” He dropped the bags, his hands framing her face, sincerity lacing his voice.

“Grrr. You make me so mad.” But she tipped her head to the side giving him better access to her neck.

His sexy grin did funny things to her. Butterflies danced in her stomach, sending flutters straight to her core.

“I like it when you’re mad. You get this light in your eyes, and it’s all I can do not to fuck you where you stand.” He bit her earlobe. “So, unless you want to put on a show, I suggest you sashay your fine ass up the stairs.”

The smug look on his too-handsome face made her want to smile. She didn’t give in, really, just chose to let him win this battle. That was her story, and she was sticking to it. Besides, he said she was important. Running her palm over the bulge between his thighs, she gave a light squeeze, then wiggled out from between him and her vehicle.

“Wow, this is truly stunning.” Cammie stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows that had an excellent view of the mountains in the distance.

Looking over her shoulder, she watched as Keanu dropped the bags he’d carried into the room. With a look she was learning to recognize, she turned her back to the view of the outside, and focused on the predator stalking her.

Cammie folded her hands in front of her. “I should probably unpack and take a shower.”

“A shower sounds good.” Keanu grabbed her hand. He scooped up a bag she hadn’t seen

him buy, and tugged her into the bathroom.

Like the rest of the house, it was fitted in rustic charm. From the mix of wood and stone, a lot of thought had gone into making this home eco-friendly. It reminded her of her home.

Immediately she had a realization. “Did your grandfather design this house?”

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“Yes, he has a passion for building things with his hands. Designing homes is another outlet, on a much larger scale.”

Just to clarify Cammie asked, “Chinook Designs is your grandfather’s company?”

He had a puzzled look on his face. “Well, yeah, but my cousins are the ones who run it now.”

“Let me guess, they are elementals also?” There was so much she still didn’t know about him and his family. Even with all the unanswered questions, she still felt safe with him.

“Let’s not talk about my family right now. I’m thinking it’s spoiling the mood.”

“Oh, and what mood would that be?”

She did her best to look innocent, but knew she missed it by a mile. She slid her hand up around his neck, urging his mouth down to meet hers for one of his patented fiery kisses. The kiss was so intensely erotic and full of promise that she felt like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, looking down at a thousand-mile drop.

Impatiently she stripped his shirt over his head, gliding her palms over his chest and back down, using her nails to mark him as her own.

“You’re playing with fire,” he said evenly.

Cammie licked her lips. “Oh, I think I like that. Besides, I’m a trained firefighter. I can put out your flames.” The little imp inside her goaded him.

Watching through her lashes, she saw him lose control. He attacked his belt and zipper like an animal. The growl he emitted sent chills racing up her arms. Her stiff nipples poked through the thin tank top, hiding nothing from his gaze. She shifted her legs, trying to find a measure of release for the aching that had set up like the mamba in her shorts.

His eyes widened, and his nostrils flared, like he scented her desire. And maybe he did. She could certainly smell the muskiness that was unique to only Keanu.

“Take your clothes off, Cammie. I’m pretty sure you’re running low on things to wear, and I’m this close,” he held up his hand with his index finger and thumb together, “to ripping them from your body.”

Cammie smiled. She brought her arms down and lifted the shirt in small increments. Pulling it over her head, she slid him a laughing glance, tucked her thumbs into her shorts and shimmied them down her thighs, before kicking them out of the way. Even though she stood before him, naked as the day she was born, she felt in total control.

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“Do you like what you see?” She asked, and lifted her breasts up in her hands, putting them on display for the man she knew was the other half of her soul.

“You have no clue, woman. Come here.” Keanu’s deep growly voice echoed around the

small room.

She crossed the tiny space separating them.

Keanu reached out, and slid his arms around her waist, drawing her in for a kiss that stunned her with its tenderness. His long, black, silky lashes curtained his eyes as he brushed her lips once more.

“Let’s shower.” His lids came up and regarded her warily.

His contradictory actions puzzled her. “What’s wrong?”

Keanu moved their lower bodies apart. “Are you okay?”

The abrupt movement stunned her, and then clarity came, and with it a little more love for this big strong man. “Is this your standard questioning after you’ve deflowered a girl?”

“You are my first
deflowering
.” He brushed her lips once more. “Now, will you answer my question?”

“I’m fine, truly,” she murmured. “Actually, I’m great. Possibly even better than great, I’ll let you know after we shower.”

“If you’re sure.” Keanu held her away from him. “I know I wasn’t as gentle as I should’ve been.”

He still didn’t look convinced. Maybe he was worried about his size. Perhaps he hadn’t always fit inside a woman. Cammie sighed.

“No, you weren’t, but I loved...it.” She’d almost said she loved him. Damn, that would’ve been disastrous. Men were notorious for running for the hills when a woman proclaimed their love for them.

She turned and glanced over her shoulder, offering a smile she hoped reassured him and invited more. She stepped into the polished stone shower that would give a spa a run for its money. She’d just walked under the spray when he entered behind her.

“I’ll make it up to you.”

“I’ve been trying to tell you I’m fine. Your form of lovemaking was intensely pleasurable, not to mention highly erotic. You’ll not hear one complaint from me. It’s not necessary, so don’t apologize again. Grrr.” She growled, and, dang it, she was the most non-growly woman she 66

knew. “I’ve tried to convey this to you with words. Maybe I should demonstrate how much I want you, just so we’re clear.”

Grabbing a bottle of body wash that screamed Keanu, she soaped up her hands. He quirked an eyebrow and pointed at the wash cloth, but she wanted to touch him. To explore all the ridged dips and hollows.

Starting with his shoulders, she paid close attention to their wide expanse. Traveling down his chest, she gave each nipple a scratch, and saw them pucker up. Tracing over his stomach and down his thighs, Cammie skipped the good parts. When she reached his feet, and, Lord save her, even they were beautiful, she looked up, making a twirling motion with her finger.

Keanu presented her with his backside, and she had an insane urge to bite his butt. Barely controlling herself, she started at the bottom this time. By the time she reached the cleft of his ass, and poured more fragrant soap in her hands, she was panting.

Who would have thought touching him could turn her on so much? She let some bubbles

dribble over his ass, and traced his crack with her soapy finger.

“Cammie,” he growled out a warning.

Choosing to ignore him, Cammie gave in to her earlier urge and placed an open mouthed

kiss on first one firm globe, and then the other. Hearing a sigh, she smiled against his flesh and gave a small bite.

In a motion too fast for her to counter, he reversed their positions, and had her front pressed up against the smooth wall.

He trailed his hands down her arms, and his fingers over hers before taking her hands and placing them on the wall above her head, arranging them shoulder width apart.

“Keep your hands there.” He didn’t ask.

“Can you say please?” She asked pertly.

Did a grunt qualify as a no?

His hands took the same leisurely path hers had taken. He kneed her legs apart. She stood on her toes as his fingers slipped down her backside, and waited for his touch. He trailed them down and slipped inside her waiting channel.

“Yes,” she hummed.

He knelt behind her. “Don’t move.” Keanu wedged those broad shoulders that were slicked by water, between her legs, twisting his chest before he set his mouth to her center, and feasted.

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How she managed to keep her hands on the tiles was a mystery, but she did, just barely.

When he slipped two fingers into her pussy, latched onto her clit with his mouth, and slid a well-lubed finger into her ass, she screamed.

She wasn’t able to control her curses, pleas, and oaths. He wasn’t content to make her come just once. Oh, no. The diabolical man brought her to another orgasm before he was surging to his feet, hiking her leg up over his thigh, and thrusting into her in one forceful stroke, before her body had even come down from her orgasms.

He placed his hands over hers, shafting back and forth so torturously slow she wanted to beg. Her legs quivered and her pussy twitched as a hoarse shout echoed around the stone walls.

The combination of his movements, and obvious enjoyment, made her come apart around him.

He came with short hard jabs, groaning as he tightened his hold on her. Finally, he let go.

She was pretty sure she’d have fallen if he had not been holding her as if he’d never let her go.

Whoa girl, nobody said anything about forever.
Cammie pulled her mind back from thoughts of the future and focused on the present. She would enjoy what they had for as long as she could.